Apparatus for drying warp and the like



March 1, 1960 I. GRIFFIN ETAL 2,925,429

APPARATUS FOR DRYING WARP AND THE LIKE Filed March 15, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR: TEA L. GRIFFIN andWILLIAM A. GRlFFIN. -$6M? +2.11

ATTORNEY 5 March 1, 1960 l. GRIFFIN ETAI- 2,926,429

APPARATUS FOR DRYING WAR AND THE LIKE Filed March 15. 1956 6Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: IRA L. GRIFFIN 2104' WILLIAM A. GRIFFIN.

ATTORNEYS March 1,1960 l. L. GRIFFIN ETAL 2,926,429

APPARATUS FOR DRYING WARP AND m: LIKE Filed March 15, 1956 V 6Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR: IRA L. GRIFFIN and WlLLiAM A. GRIFFIN.

BY iafieudmfl ATTORNEYS March 1, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 15,1956 s m w w TNF M mm o vma n ma m A GA M LA QM MM 1% f M M Q.

m w L a m. Afi/ m I w o m 6 1. r w o J w W O O q d m March 1, 1960 l. L.GRIFFIN ETA!- 2,926,429

APPARATUS FOR DRYING WARP AND THE LIKE Filed March 15, 1956 6Sheets-Sheet 5 I I I 52a.

INVENTOR. IRA L. GRFFFIN and WILLIAM A. GRIFFIN.

ATTORNEY S March 1, 1960 l. GRIFFIN ETAI- 2,926,429

APPARATUS FOR DRYING WARP AND THE LIKE Filed March 15, 1956 6Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. IRA L. GRH=FIN 1 1 9 8 and WILUAM A. GRIFFIN. Im AkJ+W ATTORNEYS r 2,926,429 r APPARATUS FOR DRYING WARP AND THE LIKE vIra L. Gritfin and William A. Griflin, cantons, N.C. Application March15, 1956, Serial No..571,6162 18 Claims. ct.- 34 159 Thisinventionirelates to an improved drying apparatus 'for drying webs 'ofyarn or other Web materials and is particularly concerned slashers. v

It is an important object of this invention to provide an improveddrying apparatus through which two individual. webs may travelsimultaneously without contacting each other and which is so arrangedthat asingle web may be wet-split (when splitting or separating of theyarns-is easiest) after application of size solution and before enteringthe drying apparatus and wherein the two webs thus formed need notbefreunited until the yarn has passed through'the drier.

with driers associated withweb may also .be stopped so that one of thewebs may continue movement through the drying apparatus while i ingapparatus of the character described wherein the two spaced parallel hotair ducts or headers are also provided with respective series of portsor nozzles in their distal surfaces to form auxiliary drying spacesadjacent said distal surfaces and wherein means are provided to supportparallel reaches of the two respective webs adjacent the last-namedports or nozzles in 'wthecourse of travel of the two webs through thedrying .apparatus.

It is still anotherflobject of this invention to provide an elongatedexhaust .duct or chamber which is spaced between theproximalzsurfaces ofthe two hot air headers with suction means connected to opposite sidesor at least The upper and lower walls-of :the'

one side thereof. exhaust chamber are provided with passageways or slotstherein and a plurality of reaches of the respective webs pass betweenthe proximal surfaces of the ducts or headers and the exhaust chamberthus causing the hot air discharged from .the ports in the proximalsurfaces of thetwo headerseor ducts to pass through the reaches tof theweb material in substantially perpendicular relation Wet-splitting is ausual procedure, but it has been I necessary, heretofore, to reunitebefore they had traveled sulficiently within or through the drier to drythe same. As a result,v the sizewould cause some or all of the yarns tore-adhere to each other, thus requiring that such yarns be torn apart.This would cause some yarns to break or cause uneven distribution of thesize, or cause roughplaces in certain yarns.

' It is another object of this invention to provide a drying apparatus:for slashers wherein a single webof yarn may be delivered from a singlesize box and then wetsplit into two webs,'or two separate webs may bedelivered from separate size boxes, and the two webs, in

either instance, are dried simultaneously without contacting each.other. v

A further object is to provide a drying apparatus also capable of usewith either one or two slasher-front-end take-up units whereby the twowebs may be taken up on the same or separate beams and, in the latterinstance, a drying apparatus capable of continuous operation even thoughone or the-other of the Webs may be stopped temporarily.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus of thecharacter. described, including) a pair of vertically spaced :hot air.ducts, 'or headers having jets, nozzles or hot air ports in theirproximal surfaces and defining a primary drying space'or zonetherebetween into which hot air is.forced through the jets or ports andi wherein exhaust meansis provided for withdrawing or exhausting alesser volume of air from thepr'imary drying space than the volume ofair introduced into the zone, withsupporting rollers for supportingseveral parallel reaches of a single web or two separate webs'in theprimary drying zone to thereby subjectboth, sides of each web to thejets or nozzles through which hot air is forced from the ducts as thewebs travel through thedrying apparatus.

Itis still another object of this inventionv to provide apparatus of thecharacter described wherein two independent webs may be drawn fromindividual sources, passed through individual size boxes and thenthrough the improved drying apparatus and then taken :up on separatebeams and wherein either of said websimay be stopped independently ofthe other 'whilethemeans for forcing air out of the previously splitwebs .to said runs."

Another object is to provide a drying apparatus which occupiesarninimumof vfloor space, but has a high drying capacity for high speed dryingofsingle sheets of yarn.

Some of the objects LQf the invention having been stated, other objectswill appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection withtheaccompanying drawings in which Figurel :isa schematic view showing,one form of the improved drying apparatusin association with a slasherwherein two independent webs are processed simultaneously;

Figure 2 is another schematic view of a slasher showing a second form ofdrying apparatus which may also be substituted for the drying apparatusshown in Figure 1 and 'vice-versa;

Figure .3 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section through the :formof drying apparatus shown in Figure l with many of the parts being shownsomewhat schematically;

' .Figure4 is an elevation looking at the r'i'ght-hand'side of Figure?)with parts :broken away and in section;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing how the travel of either webmay-; be controlled independently of the other .while respectively.controlling the air velocity and heat output of the correspondingheaders orducts;

Figure 6 is a schematic'view similar to Figure 3 show-r ing how a singleweb may be threaded through the'first :forni of drying apparatus. whileextending past both I parted. surfaces ofiboth headers;

i each webis Wound onto a separate beam. In the other ductscorresponding to the stopped Figure 7 is an enlarged longitudinalvertical sectional view through the form ofdrying apparatus shown in thecentral portion of Figure"2 with many of the parts being shown somewhatschematically;

Figure '8 is a'view looking at the right-hand side of Figure 7 withparts broken away and with parts in section and also showing many of theparts somewhat schematically. 7 h

In Figures 1 and2 of the drawings, two difierent types of slashers areillustrated, in the first of which each web of yarns is drawn from aseparate source and then travels through a "separate size boxfwhere sizesolution is applied to the web, and then'both of the webs are passedthrough the improved drying apparatus and then type of slasher shown inFigure 2, a web is drawn from tension in the webs.

a creel and passed through a single size box where a size solution isapplied to the web and thereafter the web is wet-split to form two websor a double web, one of which is heated and dried by thegupper headerand the other of which is heated and dried by the lower header. Thetwowebs then pass out of the drying apparatus and are directed to and woundabout a common beam.

Either form of drying apparatus may be substituted for the other in thetwo types of slashers shown in Figures 1 and 2. In some instances, inorder to increase production in the drying of worsted yarns, for exampleit may be desirable to pass a single web through the drying apparatus,as illustrated in Figure 6, wherein the initial run of the web passesadjacent one of the headers and then passes back and 'forth a number oftimes between the headers and then passes adjacent the other oftheheaders and thusout of-the drying apparatus.

' Referring more especially to Figure 1, two webs or sheets of yarn W-l,W-2 are drawn from respective sets of creel beams and 10 from. whencethey travel through respective size boxes indicated generally by thenumerals 11, 11'. The size boxes 11, 11 may be of conventional or anydesired construction and are shown asbeing of a type such as isdisclosed in the Ira L. Grifiin Patent No. 2,698,984 of January 11,1955.

As is usual, each of the size boxes 11, 11' contains a sizing solutionwhich is applied to the corresponding webs W-l, W-2 and then squeezedtherefrom by means of rolls 12,12. The rolls 12, 12 of the respectivesize boxes 11, 11' are driven by respective electric motors 13, 13'. Thetwo webs W-l, W-2 then extend upwardly from the size boxes 11, 11 andover respective idler rolls 15, 15' where they may enter either form ofthe improved drying apparatus, the form of drying apparatus shown inFigure 1 being broadly designated at 20. The drying apparatus 20.will belater described in detail.

' After passing through the drying apparatus, the dried webs W1, W-2pass over respective idler rolls 21, 21' and then downwardly and beneathrespective idler rolls 22, 22' which direct the webs W-l, W-2 torespective slasher front-end units broadly designated at 23, 23'. Theslasher front-end units 23, 23' may be of conventional construction andaccordingly, need not be described in detail, it being sufiicient tostate that the Webs W-l, W-2 are drawn past respective lease rods 24, 24and through respective combs 25, 25 by respective delivery rolls 26, 26'which, in turn, deliver the webs W-l, W-2 .to respective take-up beams27, 27.

The delivery rolls 26, 26' are preferably driven by respective electricmotors 30, 30' and the beams 27, 27' are preferably driven by respectiveelectric motors 31, 31'. The. motors 13, 13', 30, 30', 31 and 31 arepreferably of variable-speed type or coupled to the correspondingelements driven thereby by means of suitable variable-speed units, notshown, so as to relatively vary the speed of the webs W1, W-2 and/orcontrol the The slasher front end units 23, 23 are preferably, but notnecessarily, arranged as shown in Figure l with the beams 27, 27 on theproximal ends thereof so an attendant may observe the yarns passing ontoboth the beams 27, 27 simultaneously.

In the form of slasher shown in Figure 2, a web of yarn W is drawn froma plurality'of creel beams 10a and then passes through a 'size box 11afor applying sizing solution to the web of yarn W Thereafter, the web Wis split into two webs W-l', W-2' which pass upwardly and overrespective idler rolls 15a and 15a which guide the webs W-1', W-2' intoa second form of theimproved, drying apparatus broadly designated at 35and which will-also be later described in detail. The drying apparatus20 may be substituted for the drying apparatus 35 and vice-versa.

7 From the drying apparatus 35 in Figure 2, the webs W-l, W-Z passoutwardly over respective idler'rblls 21a and 21a andthen downwardlybeneath a common 'in Figures 2 and 7.

4 idler roll 2211 where the two webs W-l, W-2 are formed into a singleweb W-3 which is directed, by the idler roll 22a, to a slasher front-endunit broadly designated at 36. The slasher front end unit 36 may beidentical to the slasher front end units 23, 23' and serves to guide theweb W-3 onto a driven take-up beam 37.

The slashers shown in Figures 1 and 2 are generally described toindicate different ways in which the improved drying apparatus may -beused and it is apparent that both of the websW-l, W-2 in Figure 1 may betaken up on a common beam such as the beam 27. This may be particularlydesirable in forming a blend of two different types of yarn, since itmay then be necessary to apply a greater or lesser amount of tension toone web than is applied to the other. Of course, in this instance, theforemost slasher front-end unit 23 would not be used.

The first form -of drying apparatus '20, shown in association with theslasher of Figure .1, is shown more in detail in Figures 3 and 4 whereinit will be observed that the drying apparatus is in the form of anenclosure having front and rear walls 40, 41 side walls 42, 43 and topand bottom walls or a ceiling and a floor 44, 45. The forward portionsof the side walls 42, 43 each has an elongated vertically disposedgrid-type preheating or make-up air heating unit 46 therein whichpreheats the air drawn into the enclosure 20. The heating units 46 maybe heated by steam, hot water, electricity or any other desiredcontrollable means. Although the heating units 46 are shown positionedin the side walls 42, 43, they may be positioned in the front wall 40 asshown Within the enclosure 20 is a pair of lower and upper elongated hotair distributing ducts or headers 50, 50, respectively, having in theirproximal surfaces 52, 52 respective series of drying nozzles or airports 51, 51. A primary drying zone or chamber is defined between theproximal surfaces 52, 52 of-the ducts. The lower and upper ducts 50, 50'are relatively narrow at their forward" ends and the lower and uppersurfaces of the respective ducts 50, 50 extend rearwardly in divergingrelationto the proximal ported surfaces 52, 52 of the ducts or headers50, 50'. The distal surfaces of the ducts 5t 50f are generallydesignated at 54, 54' and are also provided with respective series ofdrying nozzles or air ports 55, 55. It is apparent, with reference toFigure .4, that said drying nozzles extend substantially throughoutthewidth of the enclosure and, thus, extend substantially throughout thewidth of and adjacent the hat sides of the respective webs '01- reachesthereof. The

20 through the grid-type heating units and forcing the additionallyheated air' into each of the ducts 50, 50'. To this end, it will .beobserved in Figure 3 that the distal surfaces or walls 54, 54 of theducts 50,- 50' terminate in substantially spaced relationship forwardlyfrom the rear wall 41 of the enclosure or drying apparatus 20 andsecondary heating units 57, 57 are-provided which extend laterally ofthe enclosure between the distal Walls 54, 54' of the ducts 50, 50 andthe floor 45 and roof or top wall 44, respectively. The secondaryheating units 57 and 57 may be heated by any suitable means whereby theeifective heat output thereof can be electrically or otherwisecontrolled. The secondary heating units communicate with respectivechambers 60, 60' which house respective air impellers or fan means 61,61' which are shown in the form of centrifugal blowers in Figure 3. I

- The impellers or centrifugal blower units 61, 61' are provided withrespective discharge ports 62, 62' commuor ducts 50, 50. The impellersor centrifugal blowers 61, 61' are driven by respective electric motors63, 63 which, as shown in Figure 3, are preferably mounted exteriorly ofthe enclosure or drying apparatus 20. The motors of the impellersorcentrifugal blower units 61, 61' are preferably of variable-speed ortwo-speed type for purposes to be In some instances, it is desirable.that one broad flat side or" the initial or first reach of each of theWebs W-l, W4; passes closely adjacent the respective drying nozzles 51,51', shown in Figure 3, and in other instances, it is preferred thatbro-ad sides of the initial runs or reaches of the webs W1, W-2 arespaced substantially from the nozzles 51, 51' with other: reaches orruns of the webs being disposed between said initial reaches and therespective seriesof nozzles or air ports 51, 51, in either instance,-itshould 'be noted that the nozzles embrace substantially the entire widthreaches of the webs. In Figure 3, the first or initial reaches of thewebs W4, W-2 are shown with their broad sides traveling closely adjacentthe respective series of'nozzles or air ports 51, 51' but this is not tobe con strned as a limitation. As a matter of fact, the webs 3L1, W-2may be entrained over supporting rollers therefor in identically themanner shown in Figure 3 described more in detail hereinafter.

of the respective parallel reaches or runs of the webs W-l, W-Z passforwardly from the rollers 82,, 82 in close proximity and then passoutwardly through a web egress opening or slot 84 formed in the frontcentral portion of the front Wall of theenclosure or drying apparatus20. Another web egress slot 88 is spaced above slot 84 to accommodate asingle web, as will belater described (Figure 6).

Said suction means .is embodied in suction or air discharge pipes 85,86which are connectedto the respective side walls .42, 43 forcommunication with the in.- terior of the enclosure or drying apparatus20. The

.pipes or conduits 85, 86 may be connected to any suitable suctiondevice and, in Figures 3 and 4, it will be observed that the pipes orconduits 8 5, 86 extend upwith the webs traveling in the oppositedirection from that shown, if desired. Of course, in the latterinstance, the drying apparatus 20 would be turned around 180 degreesrelative to the remainder of the slasher shown in Figure 1. l

Referring again to Figure 3, it will be observed that the rear wall 41of the drying apparatus 20 is provided with a pair of web ingress,openings or slots 70, 70 through which the initial runs of therespective webs W-l, W-2 pass as they enter the drying apparatus 20.

v The web'ingress slots 70, 70 through which the initial runs of therespective webs W-1, W-2 pass asthey enter the drying apparatus 20. Theweb ingress slots 70, .70 are disposed closely adjacent thespaced'proximal surfaces 52, 52' of the respective ducts or headers 50,Thus, the initial reaches or runs of the webs W-l, W-2 extend in closelyspaced relationship to the respective series of nozzles 51, 51' and thenpass partially around respective rollers 72, 72' and then pass the smallends of the respective ducts 50, 50' spective rollers 73, 73'. e l v Therollers 72, 73 and '72, 73 are so arranged that the webs W1, W-2 extendpast the narrow forward ends of the ducts 50, 50' to aline therespective webs W-l,

W-Z for movement closely adjacent the nozzles 55, 55' formed in thedistal surfaces 54, 54 of the respective ducts 50, 50. Of course, asingle relatively large roller may be provided in lieu of the relativelysmall rollers 72, 73 and 72', 73' in each instance.

The two webs W-l, W-2 extend rearwardly from the rollers 73, 73' closelyadjacent the respective series of nozzles 55, 55' to form an innerreach'in each instance and then the webs W-l and W-2 extend partiallyaround respective rollers 75, 75' and then forwardly substantiallyparallel to the inner reaches thereof and partially around and partiallyaround rewardly adjacent the outer surfaces of the side walls 42, 43 andthen inwardly above the top wall or ceiling 44 of the enclosure 20 wherethey are communicatively connected to a suction means in the form of ahousing 87 provided with a suitable air impeller or fan means showninthe form of a centrifugal blo werunit indicated at 90.

The impeller of the blower unit 90 is driven by an electric motor 91.The blower unit 90 is provided with 'an air dischargeport 92 andpreferably withdraws a substantially ,lesser volume of air from withinthe enclosure 20 than is drawn thereinto through the radiatorsrespective rollers 76, 76. The webs W-l, W-.2then pass upwardly anddownwardly respectively, partially around rollers 77, 77'. 1

Itwill be noted that the rollers 77, 77 are disposed closer togetherthan are the rollers 72, 72' to thus guide the respective webs W-L. W-2rearwardly closely adjacent to, and parallel to, the initial runs of thewebs W-l, W-Z. The websW-l, W-Z are then formed into a plurality ofparallel reaches between the proximal sur faces 52, 52 of the respectiveducts 50,50 by entraining the. same over respective supporting rollers80, 81, 82 and 80', 81, 82', the rollers 80, 82, 3,0 and .82 beingiournaled adjacent'and inwardly of the rear wall-41 and the rollers 81,81 being journaled inwardly of and adjanozzles :51, 51'.

or grid-type heaters46 'by the blowers 61, 61 inorder to maintain apositive pressure within the enclosure or drying apparatus 20. Forexample, it has been found desirable in the processing of cotton yarn-toprovide blowers 61, 61 .capable of moving air at the rate ofapproximately 15,000 cubic feet per minute and to provide the blowerwith a capacity for moving approximately 6,000 cubic feet of air perminute.

It is thus seen that we have provided a drying apparatus having a pairof vertically spaced elongated ducts or headers .with means for emittingheated air from the proximal surfaces, thereof and with means forsupporting a plurality of'generally parallel runs or reaches of webmaterial thereb'etween. so that two webs may be processed simultaneouslyand both sides of the two webs are subjectedto the heat source asembodied in the respective Also, it will be noted that the suction meansmay be so arranged as to not only induce flow of the air from thenozzles substantially perpendicular of at least those runs or reaches ofthe webs disposed closely ad: jacent the nozzles, but to also tend tocause the air to fio w generally toward the ingressend or wet? end ofthe drying apparatus thereby insuring efficient controlled drying ofboth of the webs simultaneously.

' Thecharacter ofthe materials from which the yarns in the web W-1 areformed may vary with respect to the materials from which the W-2 areformed to the .extent that one ofthe webs may requirea longer dryingperiod than the other in some instances-in which thetwc webs are drawnfrom separate sources and taken up about separate beams, as shown inFigure 1. In such instances, it is apparent that means should beprovided for controlling the speed of the impellers of 1 the blowers 61,61' independently ,of each other and, of course, the heating units 57,57. may be controlled in the usual well-known manner for determining theextent of rise in thetemperatureof the ,air as his forced into the ductsor-headers 50, 50 by the impellers or blower units 61, 61'.

. When" two'separatei'webs are to be processed on a slasher such as isshown in Figure 1, it may also be necessary that the operator makealterations in either of 7 the webs independently of theother web.However, in order to insure maximum or continuous operation of thedrying apparatus when the webs are arranged as shown in Figure 1, themotors 13, 30, 31 and 63 are controlled independently of the motors 13',30', 31 and 63'. The

circuit for controlling the individual motors of'conventional slashersis well known and only so much of the circuit is shown in Figure as togenerally disclose how the two groups of motors may be independentlycontrolled.

In Figure 5 there is shown a suitable circuit so arranged that themotors which impart movement to each web W-l, W-2 may be controlledindependently, or the circuit for all the motors may be arranged inseries with means to cut out the motors associated with the slasherfront-end section 23' in the event of both webs being taken up on thebeam 27. The drive for each of the webs W-1, W-2 may be similar to thewell-known Westinghouse type generallv described in a descriptive folderNo. B-5616 entitled Westinghouse New Packaged-Type Multi-Motor SlasherDrives and distributed by Westinghouse Electric Corporation, EastPittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Accordingly, only a general description of thecircuit for the slasher drive will be given, since the variouselectrical components thereof are of the conventional and wellknowntype.

Referring particularly to Figure 5. there is shown a pair ofconventional combination high-speed," stop and creep-speed switch units100, 100'. Lead conductors 101, 102 extend from the combination switchunits 100' to a suitable source of current exemplified by a plug 103 andthe conductors 101, 102 have a master switch 104 interposed therein.Conductors 105, 106 connect the lead conductors 101, 102 with thecombination switch unit 100. The exhaust blower 90 is preferablv drivencontinuously regardless of how the webs .W-l, W 2 may be arranged andaccordingly, opposite sides of the motor 91 thereof have conductors 107,108-leading therefrom to the conductors 105, 106.

As heretofore stated, the motors for the drive for each web are arrangedin series and, to this end, a conductor 111 extends from the combinationswitch unit 100 to one side of motor 13, a conductor 112 extends frommotor 13 to motor 73 for the blower unit 61. and a conductor 113' leadsfrom the other" side of the motor 63 to one side of the motor 30 whichdrives the take-up roll 26 of the first slasher front-end unit 23. Aconductor 121 connects motor 30 with motor 31 which drives the beam 27.The side of motor 31 09130- site from that to which conductor 121 isconnected has a conductor 123-leading therefrom into the combinationswitch unit 100. It is thus seen that, when either the creep-speedswitch or high-speed switch of the unit 100 is closed, all of the motors13, 30, 31 and 63 are energized independently of the motors 13', 30, 31

and 63.

Combination stop, creep-speed and high speed switch unit 100' has aconductor 130 leading therefrom to one side of a two-position ordouble-throw switch 131 which has a conductor 111' leading therefrom toone side of the motor 13'. The motors 13', 63', 30' and 31 are connectedin series by conductors 112, 113 and 121' in the same manner in whichthe motors 13, 63, 30 and 31 are connected by the conductors 112, 113and The side of the motor 31' opposite from the side to which conductor121f is connected has a conductor 123 leading therefrom back to thecombination switch unit 100. It is apparent that, when the switch 131 ismoved to establish contact between conductor 130, 111', and

either the creep-speed". or high spe'ed switchof unit 100 is closed, themotors 13', 63, 30'.and 31' are energized independently of the motors13, 63, 30, 31.

With this arrangement, it is apparent that either of the webs W-l or L2may .be stopped relative to, or moved at a slower speed or faster speedthan, the other 8 of the webs and, since the motors 63, 63 arede-energized at any time that the motors of the corresponding web arestopped, this insures that the portions of the corresponding web thendisposed within the drying apparatus 20 will not become dried at toofast a rate, or unevenly or will not become scorched.

Now, in the event that both of the webs W-l, W-Z are to be wound on asingle beam 27, all of the motors for controlling both of the webs W-l,W-2, with the exception of the motors 30', 31 associated with theslasher front end unit 23' may be controlled by the single combinationswitch unit 100. To this end, the switch 131 may be moved out ofengagement with the conductor and into engagement with a conductor 133which leads to the conductor 111. In order to then complete the circuitto the motors 13, 63 under control of the combination switch unit 100, abranch conductor 134 is connected to a medial portion of conductor 113'and leads therefrom to the conductor 123. The conductor 134 has amanually operable switch 135 interposed therein which is closed only atsuch times when all of the motors 13, 63, 30, 31, 13 and 63 are to becontrolled by the single combination switch unit 100.

It is sometimes necessary to provide a longer drying interval forcertain types of heavier-than-normal yarns, such as worsted yarns, forexample. In this instance, in order to maintain high-speed operation ofthe slasher during processing of a web of heavier-than-normal yarns,approximately twice the normal length of web may be enclosed in thedrying apparatus 20. To this end, the web formed from such yarns may bepassed through the drying unit 20 or 35 in substantially the mannershown in Figure 6 wherein the web, indicated at W-4 may not be splitinto two webs as shown in Figures 1 and 2, but remains as a single weband enters one or the other of the openings 70, 70 in the dryingapparatus or enclosure 20. In Figure 6 the web W-4 is shown entering theopening or slot 70 and its initial reach or run passes closely adjacentthe hot air nozzles or drying nozzles 51 in the surface 52 of the lowerheader 50.

The web W-4 then passes in engagement with the rollers 72, 73, 75, 76,77, 80, 81 and 82 in the same manner as that described for the web W-lin Figure 3. However, instead of the web W-4 then extending forwardlyand through the egress slot 84, the slot 84 is preferably closed and theweb W4 travels from the roller 82, forwardly and then partially aroundthe roller 81 and then rearwardly and upwardly at an angle where itby-passes the roller 82 and passes substantially half around the roller80. Thus, a run or reach is formed from the web W-4 which travelsclosely adjacent the nozzles 51 in the surface 52 of the upper header 50as the web W-4 travels from the roller 80 forwardly and partially aroundthe roller 72.

The web then travels upwardly, engages the roller 73' and travelsclosely adjacent the nozzles 55' in the upper surface 54 of the upperheader 50', then partially around the roller 75' and forwardly and downwardly and partially around the rollers 76' and 77 where it then travelsoutwardly through the auxiliary egress slot 88 and, thence, to theslasher front end unit 23 or 36 (Figures 1 and 2), as the case may be.

. The second form of drying apparatus or enclosure 35 is shown inFigures 7 and 8 wherein, with the exception of the arrangement of theweb-supporting rollers, the egress slots, the make-up air heaters and anexhaust duct, the drying apparatus 35 is substantially the same asthedrying apparatus 20 and, therefore, like parts associated with thedrying apparatus 35 will bear the same reference characters as thoseparts associated with the drying apparatus 20, with the letter "a addedto avoid repetitive description.

In the form of drying apparatus shown in Figures '7 and 8, the initialruns or reaches of the webs W-1, 'W-2, are shown as being spacedsubstantially from the nozzles 51a and Fla with one or more runs orreaches W-1, W2' in Figure 7 may pass closely adjacent the nozzlesu51a,51a, as is shown in Figure 3, if desired. It is apparent, bycomparingFigure 3 with Figure 7, that the ingress and egress openingsfor the webs W-l', W-Z' are arranged somewhat closer vtogether and inalinement as. compared to the web ingress and egress openings 70, 70',84, 88 in Figure 3, and the make-up air heaters 46a are shown positionedin the front wall 40a. Spaced between the lower and upper headers 50a,50a in Figures 7 and 8-is a substantially rectangular air exhaust orcollection chamberal iflwhich is provided with a plurality of closelyspaced transverse slots or openings 141, 142 in the upper and lowersurfaces thereof, said upper and lower surfaces extending substantiallyparallel to and in spaced relation to the proximal surfaces 52a, 52a ofthe headers 50a, 50a.

While the exhaust conduits or pipes 85, 86 in Figures 3 and '4 areconnected to the side walls 42, 43 adjacent the wet" end or rear wall 41of the enclosure or drying apparatus 20, the pipes or conduits 85a, 86ain Figures 7 and 8 preferably extend through medial portions of therespective side walls 42a, 43a and are connected to op posite sides ofmedial portions of the side walls of the air exhaust chamber 140 asshown in Figures 7 and 8.

Since the air exhaust chamber 140 is provided between the headers 50a,50a. the supporting rollers for the v either form of drying apparatus ata relatively slow or creep speed, the speed of the corresponding'blowerunit is correspondingly reduced. Of great importance is the fact thatboth sides of each web, regardless of whether a single web is being runor two webs are being run, are subjected to the direct flow of hot airfrom the corresponding nozzles or air ports. In other words, alternatereaches of the web expose one side of the web to the hot air nozzles andintervening reaches expose the other sides of the webs to the hotzairnozzles. Also, when two webs are being run, neither will contact theother throughout its travel through the drying apparatus. This obviatesthe possibility of the webs adhering to each other, with the resultantnecessity of tearing them apart,

webs W-l', W-2', are arranged differently than the supporting rollersfor the webs W-l, W in Figure 3. In this instance, the webs W-l, W-2travel through the respective ingress openings 70a, 70a (Figure 7) andthe initial runs thereof travel closely adjacent the upper and lowersurfaces of the air exhaust chamber 140 and substantially throughout thelength thereof.

The webs W-1', W-2, then pass substantially half around rollers 146,146' then rearwardly and partially around respective rollers 147, 147'and again forwardly closely adjacent the respective nozzles 51a, 51a andpar tially around and over respective rollers 72a, 72a. The webs thenpass the small ends of the respective headers a, 50a and partiallyaround respective rollers 73a, 73a to form respective reaches whichtravel closely adjacent the distal surfaces 54a, 54a of the respectiveheaders 50a, 50a and then-partially around respective rollers 75a, 75a.Thereafter, the webs W-1', W-2' travei forwardly generally parallel tothe surfaces 54a, 54a,

partially around respective rollers 76a, 76a, then extend toward eachother and over respective rollers 77a, 77a,

and, thence,, outwardly through the respective egress openings 84a, 88a.

It is thus seen that the air'discharge chamber 140 as arranged in Figure7 insures flow of the hot air dis-v charged through the air ports ordrying nozzles 51a, 51a substantially perpendicular to the paths oftravel a of the respective webs more efficiently thandoes the arweb mayvary relative to the air flowing through the other web; and either webmay be stopped independently of the other, thus permitting continuedoperation of the slasher with which the drying apparatus may beassociated although one of the-webs may be stopped. It is apparent that,when either of the webstravels through or overriding each other orbecoming unevenly elongated.

it is'contemplated that the two webs W4, W4 or W4, W-Z may each bewet-split one or more times before they enter the correspondingenclosures 20, 35 to provide further spacing between adjacent yarns inat least the initial reaches formed therefrom, without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. This is advantageous because from 50% to70% of the moisture is generally dissipated from the webs in the initialreaches formed therefrom and, even though the yarns of each web mayreunite at the end of the initial reaches, their tendency to re-adherethereafter is substantially reduced and, thus, the yarns can beseparated without materially affecting the same. Of course, additionalrollers may be provided adjacent the web-supporting rollers shown inFigures 3, 6 and 7, formaintaining the additional sheets, formed bywet-splitting each of the webs .W-1, W-2, or W-l', W-2, out ofinterengagement until after they leave the corresponding dryingapparatus.

The single web W-4 (Figure 6) may also be wetsplit, before entering theenclosure 20, and entrained therethrough as described above, if desired.

In the drawingsand specification there have been set forth preferredembodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in theclaims.

We claim: 1. In a drying apparatus; an enclosure, a pair of .verticallyspaced elongated ducts within said enclosure each having a plurality ofclosely spaced ports along a surface thereof adjacent theother of saidducts and deeach of the ducts, roller means for supporting each of thewebs to form a plurality of reaches therefrom adjacent each of saidported surfaces, said supportingmeans being arranged to maintain eachweb out of contact with the other web and-to lead the webs out of saidenclosure, means for sucking air-into the enclosure and delivering theair under pressure into each of said ducts whereby the air is forcedthrough said ports, means to heat the arr as it is delivered into saidducts and means for exhausting the air from the enclosure on a levelsubstantially between the proximal surfaces of the two ducts.

2. A structure according to claim 1 including means to preheat the airas it enters said enclosure.

3. A structure according to claim 1 including means for varying thespeed of travel of either web independently of the other.

- 4. Anair dryer for sheets. of warp yarns comprising an enclosurehaving top, bottom and side walls, at least one ingress opening in onesidewall and at least one egress opening in an opposed side wall, a pairof centrally positioned, vertically spaced, upper and lower elongatedducts, the proximal surfaces of said ducts having a plurality of portstherein anddefining therebetween a primary drying chamber extendingsubstantially across the entire width of said enclosure, the distalsurfaces of said ducts also having ports therein and defining with theupper and lower enclosure-walls respective upper and lower secondarydrying chambers, means for introducing air into said secondary dryingchambers, means for preheating air introduced into said secondary dryingchambers, blower means for moving said air from said secondary dryingchambers into said ducts, throughthe ports therein, and then intothe'primary and secondary drying chambers, and means for exhausting airfrom the primary drying chamber adjacent the ingress opening of saidenclosure, and means for passing at least one sheet of warp yarnsthrough said primary drying chamber and thereafter through at least oneof said secondary drying chambers while maintaining said yarns in aplurality of separate reaches within said enclosure. i

5. In a drying apparatus; an enclosure including top, bottom and sidewalls, a pair of vertically spaced elongated ducts within said enclosureeach having a plurality of closely spaced ports along a surface thereofadjacent the other of said ducts, said ducts defining therebetween aprimary drying chamber, means for leading at least two 'separated websinto said primary drying chamber, each along a path adjacent to andsubstantially parallel with the ported surface of one of said ducts,means for supporting each of the webs to form a plurality ofsubstantially parallel independent reaches in said primary dryingchamber, the distal surfaces of said ducts defining with said top andbottom enclosure walls respective upper and lower secondary dryingchambers, said supporting means being arranged to lead each of the websfrom said primary drying chamber through the respective secondary dryingchamber and hence out of said enclosure, means for forcing air to flowinto the secondary drying chambers and then through said ductswhereby'the air is forced to pass through said ports into the primarydrying chamber, means to heat the air prior to its passage through saidports and means for exhausting air from the primary drying chamber on alevel substantially between the proximal surfaces of the two ducts.

6. A structure according to claim wherein said distal surfaces of saidducts are elongated and are also provided with a plurality of spacedports for discharging air into said secondary drying chambers, and saidsupporting means being so arranged as to cause said webs to passadjacent to and substantially parallel with the respective distalsurfaces in their course of travel through the secondary dryingchambers. r

7. A structure according to claim Sincluding means for varying the speedof travel of either web independently of the other and forcorrespondingly varying the capacity of said air forcing means to varythe volume of air which is delivered into the corresponding ducts.

8. A structure according to claim 5 in which said means to heat the airincludes means to preheat the air as it enters said enclosure prior topassing through the secondary drying chambers.

9. A structure according to claim 5 in which said means to heat the airincludes means for heating the air to a predetermined temperature priorto its being delivered into each of said ducts by the corresponding airforcing means. I

10. A structure according to claim 5 wherein said means for exhaustingair from between the ducts includes at least one discharge pipecommunicatively connected to the enclosure for communication with theprimary drying chamber.

11. A structure according to claim 5 wherein said means for exhaustingair from between said ducts includes an elongated chamber positioned insaid primary drying chamber and having its upper and lower surfacesspaced between the proximal surfaces of the ducts, said upper and lowersurfaces of said elongated chamber being provided with a series ofopenings therein, said supporting means for the twowebs being soarranged as to maintain at least some reaches of each web between thefirst-mentioned ported surface of the corresponding ductsand theadjacent surface of said elongated chamber, and said exhausting meansalso comprising suction means connected to said chamber for withdrawingair from said chamber exteriorly of said enclosure.

12. A structure according to claim 5 wherein said exhausting means has acapacity for withdrawing a lesser volume of air from the enclosure thanthat delivered into the ducts in any given period of time.

13. In a drying apparatus; an enclosure including top, bottom and sidewalls, a pair of upper and lower centrally positioned vertically spacedelongated ducts within said enclosure each having a plurality ofcloselyspaced ports along its upper and lower surfaces, the proximalwalls of said ducts defining therebetween a primary drying chamber andthe distal walls of said ducts defining with the top and bottomenclosure walls respective upper and lower secondary drying chambers,means for leading webs into said primary drying, chamber, one each alonga path substantially parallel with the ported surface of each of theducts, means supporting each of the webs to form a plurality ofsubstantially parallel reaches therefrom adjacent each of said portedsurfaces in the primary and secondary chambers, said supporting meansbeing arranged to lead the webs out of said enclosure, means for forcingair to flow into said secondary chambers and then into each of saidducts whereby the air is forced through said ports, means for heatingsaid air prior to its being forced through said ports, and means forexhausting air from the enclosure.

14. A structure according to claim 13 including means for varying thespeed of travel of either web independently of the other and forcorrespondingly varying the capacity of said air forcing means toproportionately vary the vloume of air delivered into the correspondingducts.

15. A structure according to claim 13 wherein said means for exhaustingair from the enclosure has a capacity for exhausting a lesser volume ofair from the enclosure than the volume of air flowing into the ducts.

16. A structure according to claim 13 wherein said means for exhaustingair from the enclosure includes at least one discharge pipecommunicatively connected to the enclosure for communication with theinterior thereof at a point adjacent the point at which the webs are ledinto the enclosure.

17. A structure according to claim. 13 wherein said means for exhaustingair from said enclosure includes an elongated air collection chamberpositioned in said primary drying chamber and having its upper and lowersurfaces spaced from the proximal surfaces of the upper and lower ducts,said upper and lower surfaces of said collection chamber being providedwith a plurality of openings therein, said supporting means for the twowebs being so arranged as to maintain at least 'some reaches of each webbetween the proximal surface of the corresponding duct and the adjacentsurface of said collection chamber, and suction means connected to saidcollection chamber for exhausting air from said chamber to the exteriorof said enclosure.

18. In a slasher having means for applying size solu- 7 tion to yarns inweb form, means for delivering yarns from the first-named means and webtakeeup means spaced forwardly from the first-named means; thecombination of a drying apparatus disposed between said firstnamed meansand said take-up means, said apparatus including an enclosure comprisingspaced side walls and top and bototm walls and having a pair of upperand lower ducts therein defining a primary drying zone through which theyarns in web form are passed, means to wetsplit said yarns in web formto form a plurality of webs prior to drying, each duct having aplurality of spaced .ports along a surface thereof adjacent the other ofsaid ducts, roller means supporting each of said webs to form aplurality of substantially parallel reaches therefrom in the course ofmovement of the yarns through the primary drying zone, said roller meansbeing arranged to maintain each web out of contact with the nextadjacent web, said top and bottom wallsvand the distal surfaces of theducts defining respective secondary 5 drying zones therebetween throughwhich the webs are passed after moving through the primary drying zone,means to induce flow of heated air into said secondary drying zones andinto said ducts whereby the air is forced through said ports, and meansfor exhausting air 10 from said apparatus.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Kugler Aug. 31, 19 43 Rose May 25, 1948 Still Aug.21, 1951 Rusca et al Dec. 18, 1951 Shegda Apr. 1, 1952

